Collapsible box for facial tissues



Dec. 21, 1965 Filed Sept. 23, 1964 D. ALLEN COLLAPSIBLE BOX FOR FACIAL TISSUES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec. 21, 1965 D. ALLEN COLLAPSIBLE BOX FOR FACIAL TISSUES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 23, 1964 Dec. 21, 1965 D. ALLEN 3,224,633

COLLAPSIBLE BOX FOR FACIAL TISSUES Filed Sept. 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,224,633 COLLAPSIBLE BOX FOR FACIAL TISSUES Dayton Allen, 956 Dobbs Ferry Road, White Plains, NY. Filed Sept. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 398,662 12 Claims. (Cl. 221-48) This invention relates to containers of the type generally used for dispensing folded paper sheets such as facial tissues, paper towels, napkins and like, and more particularly concerns a collapsible box or container of this type arranged so that the uppermost sheet in the box is always readily accessible for removal at the top of the box.

Heretofore, it has been conventional to pack a pile of folded sheets such as facial tissues, towels or napkins in a rectangular paper or cardboard box, with a slot or opening formed at the top of the box. The user pulls one sheet at a time out through the slot formed at the top of the box. As the pile of sheets becomes smaller in size it becomes increasingly difiicult and awkward to grasp the sheets through the top opening in the box to remove them.

The present invention is directed at overcoming this difficulty and at providing an improved collapsible box or container in which parts of the walls of the upper part of the box can be torn away to reduce the box in height. A tray is located in the bottom of the box and this tray is progressively located close to the top of the box as the upper part of the box is reduced in height. The tray is preferably provided with means for detachably securing it to the upper part of the box to prevent the contents of the box from falling out of the box if the box is picked up from a supporting surface.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a collapsible set-up paper box, carton or container for holding a pile of folded tissues, towels, napkins or other sheets of like character, the box having an upper part with scored side walls from which strips can be torn in succession to reduce the box in height, and with a tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box.

Another object is to provide a collapsible box as described with means for detachably securing the tray in the open bottom of the box so that the tray remains engaged therein as the box is progressively reduced in height.

For further compression of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded reduced perspective view of the box in disassembled condition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom tray of the box in set-up condition.

FIG. 4 is a reduced cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views similar to FIG. 4, the box being shown progressively reduced in height.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of parts of a box, showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of parts of the box of FIG. 7 in assembled condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of part of a box showing another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of portions of the box of FIG. 9, with tray locked in place.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another tray.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of a box embodying still another modified form of the invention, a sheet being partly removed.

FIG. 13 is an exploded reduced perspective view of the box of FIG. 12 in disassembled condition, parts being shown broken away.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 12 of a box embodying yet another modified form of the invention, the box being shown partly opened and trays shown removed.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view showing the box of FIG. 12 in partly folded condition, parts being shown broken away.

Referring first to FIG. 1 there is shown a box 20 which consists of an upper part 22 made from a blank B1 and a bottom tray 24 made from a blank B2, both shown open in FIG. 2. The upper part 22 has a top panel P1 formed with a longitudinal slot 25 out of which sheets S can be drawn one at a time from the top of pile P shown in FIG. 4. The top of the box has two narrow folded down end flaps F1, F2 and a narrow side flap F3 internally coated with adhesive A1, A2, A3 and adhering to upper parts of end panels P2, P3 and side panel P4. The top panel P1 is folded along line L1 at the upper edge of side panel P5.

The end panels P2, P3 are folded on vertical fold lines L2, L3 with respect to panel P5. Side panel P4 is connected to end panel P3 on vertical fold line L5. Flaps F1, F2, F3 are folded down on lines L6, L7, L8. Narrow flaps or tabs T1, T2 and T3 are formed at the free end of panel P4 and these tabs are detachably secured by adhesive A4, A5, A6 to the outer free edge of panel P2. The tabs are folded on line L20.

At the bottom edges of panels P2, P3, P4 and P5 are narrow flaps F4, F5, F6, F7 folded under tray 24 into a horizontal plane. The flaps are folded on lines L8, L9, L10, L11. The flaps F4-F7 are coated with adhesive A7 so that they adhere to the underside of tray 24.

The tray 24 has a shallow open top rectangular structure. It has a rectangular bottom panel P6, two side panels P7, P8 and two end panels P9, P10. The side and end panels are folded on lines L12L15. End portions of the end panels P9, P10 are coated with adhesive A8 in order to engage tabs T4T7 formed on ends of panels P7, P8. The tabs T4T7 are folded on line L16 at ends of panels P7, P8.

Horizontal scored or die-cut lines D1, D2 are formed along the panels P2, P3, P4 and P5 of the upper part 22. These scored lines define a bottom strip S1, intermediate strip S2, and an uppermost strip S3 across blank B1 and all around the upper part 22.

The outer sides of panels P7-P10 are coated with pressure sensitive adhesive A12 which terminates just short of the upper or free end edges of these panels; see FIGS. 1, 3. The panels P7-P10 are slightly wider than strip S1 between score line D1 and the lower fold lines L8-L11 of the upper part of box 22. The panels P7-P10 are also slightly wider than strip S2 between score lines D1 and D2. By this arrangement panels P7P10 adhere to the inner sides of strip S1 along panels P2-P5 as shown in FIG. 4.

Instructions I for collapsing the box 20 are printed on the outer side of panel P2. When a suitable quantity of sheets S have been removed from the box, tab T1 is grasped and pulled outwardly. The strip S1 will be torn off all around the box to expose the adhesive A12 on the outer sides of the tray 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The adhesive A12 terminates just short of the cut free edge E1, which frees the tray 24 from the upper part 22 of the box. The upper part 22 can then be lowered or the tray 24 can be telescoped into the upper part 22 and the remaining portions of panels P2-P5 can be pressed inwardly to cause them to stick to the pressure sensitive adhesive A12 on panels P7-P10 of the tray. This will leave the box in the shortened condition shown in FIG. 5.

The box can be further reduced in height by tearing off strip S2 along score line D2 and sliding the tray 24 up- Ward to juxtaposed panels P7-P10 inside the remaining portions of panels P2P5. This will reduce the box to the narrow width of strip S3 as shown in FIG. 6. The panels P2-P5 will be pressed inwardly to stick them to panels P7-P10.

The box thus has three different heights, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 of the drawing. If more score lines are provided the box may have more removable strips for reducing it in a greater range of sizes or a larger number of steps. In each adjustment of the size of the box, the top of the pile P is brought close to the underside of the top panel P1 so that the sheets S can easily be grasped and removed through slot 25.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 box 20a is similar to box 20 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Instead of adhesive being applied to the outer sides of panels P7- P10 of tray 24a, hook-like clips 30 are secured by rivets 31 to the end panels P9 and P10. These clips engage with clips 32 and 34 secured at strips S2 and S3 of end panels P2 and P3 of the upper part 22a of the box. In the lowermost position of the tray in the box, the tray sticks to the inner sides of bottom flaps F4-F7. When strip S1 is torn ofi, then clips 30 engage with lower clips 32 on strip S2. When strip S2 is torn off then clips 30 Will be engaged with upper clips 34 on strip S3.

In this way the tray is always held securely in the upper part 22a of the box.

Box 20b of FIG. 9 has another way of holding the tray when the box is reduced in size. Strip S1 is formed with die-cut looped portions C1 which leave dove-tailed notches N1 in the end panels of the box. Tray 24b has diecuts C defining dove-tailed tongues 36 in the end panels. These tongues fit into the notches N1 after strip S1 is torn off and the tray pushed up into the box at strip S2 as shown in FIG. 10. Die-cut portions C2 define notches N2 in strip S3 at the end panels of the box. Tongues 36 fit into notches N2 when strip S2 has been torn off and the tray has been pushed up into the box alongside of strip S3. If desired further tongues 36a can be provided at the side panels P7, P8, of the tray as well as the end panels P9, P10 as shown in tray 240 of FIG. 11. Notches similar to notches N1 and L2 will be provided in the side panels P4, P5 of the upper part of the box to engage side tongues 36a.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, inclusive, herein the box 20x is somewhat similar to box 20 consisting of an upper part 22x and a bottom tray 24x. The upper part 22x has a top panel Plx formed with a longitudinal slot (not shown) similar to slot 25 out of which sheets S can be drawn one at a time from the top of the pile. The top of the box has two narrow folded down end flaps Flx, F2x, internally coated with adhesive Alx, A2x and adhering to the upper parts of end panels P2x, P3x. The top panel P1x is folded along line Llx at the upper edge of side panel PSx.

The end panels P2x, P3x are folded on vertical fold lines L2x, L3x with respect to panel P5x. Side panel P4x is connected to end panel P3x on vertical fold lines L5x. Flaps Flx, F2s are folded down on lines L6x, L7x. Flaps or tabs Tlx, T2x, T3x are formed at the free end of panel P4x and these tabs are detachably secured by adhesive to the outer free edge of panel P2x. The tabs are folded on line L20x.

At the bottom edges of panels P2x, P3x, there are elongated tongues F4x, F5x, respectively, with tapered end edges F6x, folded under tray 24x into a horizontal plane. The tongues are folded on lines L8x, L9x.

The tray 24x has a shallow open top rectangular structure. It has a rectangular bottom panel P6x, two side panels P7x, P8x and two end panels P9x, P10x. The side and end panels are folded on lines L12x, L13x. End portions of the end panels P9x, P10x are coated with adhesive in order to engage tabs T4x, T5x, T6x and T7x formed on ends of panels P7x, P8x. A transverse slot P142: is provided adjacent each end of bottom panel P6x.

Horizontal scored or die-cut lines Dlx, D2x, D3x are formed along the panels P2x, P3x, P4x, PSx. These scored lines define a bottom strip Slx, intermediate strips 82x, S31: and an uppermost strip 84): across the blank Blx and all around the upper part 22x.

Instruction Ix for collapsing the box 20x are printed on the outerside of panel P2x and indicia such as a trademark P16 is printed on panel P4x. When a suitable quantity of sheets S have been removed from the box, tab Tlx is grasped and pulled outwardly. The strip Slx will be torn off all around the box to free the tray 24x from the upper part 22x of the box. The upper part 22x can then be lowered or the tray 24x can be telescoped into the upper part 22x and the tongues F4x, FSx can be inserted through the slots P14x, P141: in the bottom panel P6x and interlocked with the edges thereof thereby supporting the tray, and leaving the box 20x in the shortened condition shown in FIG. 12 where the bottom strip Slx is shown torn off and the box shortened.

The box 20x can be further reduced in height by tearing off strip 822: along score line D2x and sliding the tray upwardly inside the remaining portions of panels P2x- PSx. This will reduce the box to the narrow width of a single strip S4x.

The box 20x thus has four different heights. In each adjustment of the size of the box, the top of the pile of sheets S is brought close to the underside of the top panel Plx so that the sheets can easily be grasped and removed through the slot 25x.

Another box 20xx is shown in FIG. 15 which differs from the box 20x in that the end panel P3xx is separate from the other panels and is held in position by flaps Tlxx, T2xx, T3xx, T4xx on the free end of side panel P4xx and by similar flaps T5, T6, T7, T8 on side panel PSxx. The flaps have adhesive on their inner surface for securing the end panel P3xx to the side panels.

In all other respects, the box 20xx is similar to box 20x and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

In all forms of the invention described, the box is collapsible or reducible in size to accommodate it in height to the actual height of the pile P of paper sheets S in the box.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions that are herein disclosed and various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by a line extending all around said upper part to define two contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the scored line, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the remaining portion of upper part of the box so that the box is then reduced in height to locate the top of said pile adjacent to the underside of the top panel.

2. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by a line extending all around said upper part to define two contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the scored line, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the emaining portion of upper part of the box so that the box is then reduced in height to locate the top of said pile adjacent to the underside of the top panel, and means for securing the tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box after insertion into said remaining portion thereof.

3. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside a box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by a line extending all around said upper part to define two contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the scored line, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the remaining portion of upper part of the box so that the box is then reduced in height to locate the top of said pile adjacent to the underside of the top panel, said tray having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on at least two of the narrow panels thereof for securing the tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box after insertion into said remaining portion thereof.

4. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panel-s, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside a box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having fiaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by a line extending all around said upper part to define two contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the scored line, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the remaining portion of upper part of the box so that the box is then reduced in height to locate the top of said pile adjacent to the underside of the top panel, said scored line being formed with looped portions to leave notches in the other strip at certain of the panels of the upper part of the box, at least two of the narrow panels of the tray having tongues formed therein to engage in said notches to hold the tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box after insertion into said remaining portion thereof.

5. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside a box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured there to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by a line extending all around said upper part to define two contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the scored line, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the remaining portion of upper part of the box so that the box is then reduced in height to locate the top of said pile adjacent to the underside of the top panel, said tray having depending clips secured to at least two of the opposing narrow panels thereof, and upwardly extending clips secured to inner side of certain panels of the upper part of the box for engaging the clips on tray to hold the tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box after insertion into said remaining portion thereof.

6. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an open ing for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least two vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least three contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, and attachment means for securing the tray in the open bottom of the box at the second strip, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by said attachment means thereat, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile.

'7. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least two vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least three contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, and attachment means for securing the tray in the open bottom of the box at the second strip, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by said attachment means thereat, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile, said attachment means being a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on the narrow panels of the tray.

8. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said bottom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least two vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least three contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, and attachment means for securing the tray in the open bottom of the box at the second strip, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by said attachment means thereat, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile, said attachment means including depending clips secured to at least two of the opposing narrow panels of the tray, and upwardly extending clips secured to the second and third strips at inner sides of the panels of the upper part of the box for engaging the clips on the tray.

9. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box; a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said first side and end panels having flaps folded under said botom panel and secured thereto to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least two vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least three contigous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, and atachment means for securing the tray in the open bottom of the box at the second strip, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by said attachment means thereat, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile, said attachment means including looped portions in said scored lines arranged to leave notches in the second and third strips when the first and second strips are removed respectively, and tongues formed in the narrow panels of the tray to engage in said notches for holding the tray in the open bottom of the upper part of the box.

10. A blank assembly for forming upper and lower parts of a collapsible set-up box, comprising a first pliable paper sheet to form set upper part, said sheet having a series of four rectangular panels joined to each other by fold lines, at least two scored lines extending along the panels to define at least three contiguous parallel strips, two of said strips terminating in a free tab at one edge of one of the panels whereby the strips can be torn off the panels, a rectangular fifth panel joined to one edge of another of said panels to form a top for said upper part, each of the said four panels having flaps formed at free edges thereof; and a rectangular second sheet to form said lower part, said second sheet having slit corners to define four narrow other panels and a central panel of a tray in the upper part, and means on the narrow panels for securing the tray in said upper part of the box after each of said two strips in turn is torn off from said four panels of the upper part.

11. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, vertical opposing first end panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box, a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said bottom panel having transverse slots adjacent the ends thereof; said first end panels having flaps folded under the bottom panel and inserted into the transverse slots in said bottom panel to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least three vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least four contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, the flaps of said first end panels adapted to secure the tray in the open bottom of the box at the second strip, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by the flaps of said first end panels, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile, the third strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the third strip along the third one of said score lines so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the fourth one of said strips and secured by the flaps of said first end panels, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile.

12. A collapsible box for containing and dispensing folded paper sheets, comprising a rectangular upper part having vertical opposing first side panels, a vertically disposed end panel integral with the side panels, a vertically disposed panel at the opposite end separate from the side panels, flaps on the free ends of the side panels for securing the separate end panel to the side panels and a horizontal top panel attached at its edges to the side and end panels, said upper part having an open bottom, said top panel having an opening for removing the uppermost sheet from a pile thereof inside the box, a rectangular tray having a horizontal bottom panel, opposing narrow side panels and opposing narrow end panels, the narrow side and end panels being vertically disposed and extending upwardly from edges of the bottom panel; said bottom panel having transverse slots adjacent the ends thereof; said first end panels having flaps folded under the bottom panel and inserted into the transverse slots in said bottom panel to hold the tray in the upper part of the box, said first side and end panels being horizontally scored by at least three vertically spaced die-cut lines extending all around said upper part to define at least four contiguous strips, whereby the narrow side and end panels of the tray are exposed when the lowermost one of said strips is removed by tearing along the lowermost one of said scored lines, and whereby the tray is then released for insertion into the upper part of the box adjacent the second one of said strips, the second strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the second strip along the second one of said scored lines, so that the tray can be inserted into the open botom of the box adjacent the third one of said strips and secured by the flaps of said first end panels, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile, the third strip being releasable from the tray by tearing the third strip along the third one of said score lines so that the tray can be inserted into the open bottom of the box adjacent the fourth one of said strips and secured by the flaps of said first end panels, whereby the box is successively reduced in height to locate the top of the pile of sheets adjacent to the underside of said top pile.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,024,418 12/ 1935 Aughney 206-4516 2,179,504 11/1939 Hasbrook. 3,145,840 8/1964 Wright 221 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE BOX FOR CONTAINING AND DISPERSING FOLDED PAPER SHEETS, COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR UPPER PART HAVING VERTICAL OPPOSING FIRST SIDE PANELS, VERTICAL OPPOSING FIRST END PANELS AND A HORIZONTAL TOP PANEL ATTACHED AT ITS EDGES TO THE SIDE AND END PANELS, SAID UPPER PART HAVING AN OPEN BOTTOM, SAID TOP PANEL HAVING AN OPENING FOR REMOVING THE UPPERMOST SHEET FROM A PILE THEREOF INSIDE THE BOX; A RECTANGULAR TRAY HAVING A HORIZOTAL BOTTOM PANEL OPPOSING NARROW SIDE PANELS AND OPPOSING NARROW END PANELS, THE NARROW SIDE AND END PANELS BEING VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM EDGES OF THE BOTTOM PANEL; SAID FIRST SIDE AND END PANELS HAVING FLAPS FOLDED UNDER SAID BOTTOM PANEL AND SECURED THERETO TO HOLD THE TRAY IN THE UPPER PART OF THE BOX, SAID FIRST SIDE AND END PANELS BEING HORIZONTALLY SCORED BY A LINE EXTENDING ALL AROUND SAID UPPER PART TO DEFINE TWO CONTIGUOUS STRIPS, WHEREBY THE NARROW SIDE AND END PANELS OF THE TRAY ARE EXPOSED WHEN THE LOWERMOST ONE OF SAID STRIPS IS REMOVED BY TEARING ALONG THE SCORED LINE, AND WHEREBY THE TRAY IS THEN RELEASED FOR INSERTION INTO THE REMAINING PORTION OF UPPER PART OF THE BOX SO THAT THE BOX IS THEN REDUCED IN HEIGHT TO LOCATE THE TOP OF SAID PILE ADJACENT TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP PANEL. 